Combined brooder and runs



April 15, 1952 H. HOLDREDGE COMBINED BROODER AND RUNS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1946 ado W AprillS, 1952 H. HOLDREDGE 2,593,029

COMBINED BROODER AND RUNS Filed March 28, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 106 94WF1 g 3/ 32 D as Fig.4

H. HOLDREDGE COMBINED BROODER AND RUNS April 15, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 28, 1946 mllmim Patented Apr. 15, 1952 UNITED] STATES PATENT OFFICE assatza V h l R COMBINED BROODER AND RUNS Harley I Ioldredgc, Valley Center, calm. Application March 28, 1946, Serial No. 657,785

My invention relates to the art -of poultry rais 7 ing and more particularly to a means of brooding and raising young fowl, for instance, turkeys, hereinafter referred to as poults. w

e In conventional brooding practice, two vital considerations governing the success or failure" of the grower are temperature and cleanliness.

- Young poults are extremely sensitive to temperature vvariation. I Thus where the temperature falls below certain minimums, the poults pile one atop the other forwarmth,-and loss is occasioned to the grower through smothering. Also where the temperature within the broader becomes ele- 1 :vated to; unseasonable heights, the poults suffer, losing appetite and energy andfail to gain wei h frequently,,succumbing for this reason.

Many brooders have been built incorporating 1 temperature control means utilizing, for instance,

'. poults.

' In-attempts to provide cleanliness in convenf l tionalbrooders as concerns feed and, water and in order to prevent thepollution of each other by the poults, devices such as. paper covered tread floors, feeding means, and dewdrop water syse, terms in certain combinations havefbeenheretofo r'e resorted "to.

These have, however, been found to occasion the. necessity of. having several in addition the tread floor is a frequent source caretakers engaged in servicing the brooders, and

, of spraddle leg? among the poults.

In so far as is concerned cleanliness in the air, a noticeable feature in conventional brooding j practice is the lack of provision for free circulation about the poult. The modern incubators vof today consist of a heatingelemen't and one or more fans for'circulating air around the eggs and poults'as they are in the process of incubation and hatching. Generally, following hatching in such a forced draft incubator, the poults are held in boxes from twelve to twenty-four hours before putting them into the brooding system,

after which they are considered in suitable condition for such brooders which, as heretofore stated, consist of a different environment than that undergone by the poultsduri'ng hatching;

i. e.',circulating fresh air is lacking. Such lack of circulating air not only, makes necessary the workattendant upon taking the chicks into and 4 Claims. (o1.119 s4 .out of the boxes, but subjects in environment. Again dead air and dead air spaces within the brooders, besides failing to accomplish the function of hardening the poults and causing feathering thereof, provideameans of infection. a

One of the more serious problems confronting the grower is the disease Heximita, which accounts for thousands of you poults each ,year'. The spore of the germ of this disease, besides existing in contamination, about the door of the brooder, is to a large part present and developing in stagnant air; and where such spore-laden air is allowed to remain within the brooders during the spore development serious consequences may ensue.

clean, well ventilated brooding system of large capacity, operating on a forced draft. principle in combination with runs for the raising of large numbers of young fowlunder' such circumstances that few caretakers are necessaryaa'ndbetween broods the brooding systemmay bevmov'edabout with extreme ease. 1

Itis my further objectto provide in my brooder means for circulating warm dry airor, if condiof my brooding system.

tions warrant, cool air, continuously through a number of broodersthe number of said brooders being easily variable and determining the capacity It is my further object controllingthe aforementioned heating of the circulating air through simple automatic thermostatic means placed in oneof the brooding compartments whereby the said control of the heating requires a minimum of servicing.

It is another of my objects to provide a brooder having a high cleanliness factor over existing conventional brooders. In addition to providing continuously circulating air and thus substantially removing the menace of spore-laden Heximita, feeding and watering means are present in my brooderfinsuch combination that the poults will not pollute each other, while poult droppings may be easily removed through 'a paper roller 'device which does'notinduce spraddle leg in the young poults. Likewise, no fecal matter can gain access to either feed or water, and the water is them to aichange to provide means for so placed that poults traveling from the brooder compartments to the feed hoppers and vice versa must pass under such water. It is well known that almost every bird that passes under a drop of water hanging from a convenient place, such as a dewdrop pipe, will stop and drink. The experienced operator will recognize immediately that so encouraging the poults to drink will save many .zhatches.

It is afurther object of my invention to provide the above means of feeding, watering, cleaning, and controlling temperature easily serviced by the caretaker. Access to all runs and to within the brooding compartments is simple and thus the cleaning thereof is facilitated. 7

Yet another object of my invention is to provide the same easily dismantled and thus readily portable.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description 'tional view of my brooding system taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an-enlarged cross section of my brooder heating unit taken on the line i of Figure 1.

:Figure 5 shows aperspective view of my brooder unit and run.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of some of my brooder units and runs showing the system set up to accommodate the older poults.

Figure '7 shows in part an enlarged sectional sectional view taken through the line 1-4 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, my brooder system in general comprises "a heating unit I, roofed brooder units 2 extending on eitheryside of the said heating unit I, poult runs 3 leading "from the said brooder units 2, and poult runs 4 leading from the said runs 3 as extensions thereof. The heating unit 'I is adapted to supply air through the conduits 5 and '6 to the brooder units 2 wherein are kept the poults at nightor during cold weather. Egress is permitted the .poults to the runs 3 and, as will hereafter be explained, older poults to the runs 4, for feeding and watermg.

More specifically, the heating unit I comprises a roofed heating shack 8 which encloses a stove I0. The stove Ill may be of a kerosene type circulating air'heater into which air is introduced by a blower 12. The air passes through the circulating chamber I4 and heated air is forced into the cross member I6 which has a cap I8 and into the conduits 5 and 6 which seat thereonto. The cross member I6 may contain an emergency heater consisting of electric heating elements, either manually or automatically controlled. The electric heating elements of said emergency heater 2!] may comprise conventional resistant heating means suitably connected to a source of electric current and adapted to heat up upon application of said-electric current and thereby heat the air passing through the cross member IS in case of failure in the stove II). A fuel tank 22 is adapted to supply kerosene or other fuel to the stove I6 in common manner. The temperature of the air flowing into the conduits 5 and 6 may be automatically controlled by the wafer or thermostatic control unit 24. The thermostat 24, which is a common device, is automatically set and controls the amount of fuel consumed .by the stove I0. It should be placed in proximity to the poults and may be in any one of the brooding units 2. The conduits 5 and 6 have orifices 23 cooperating with slip collars 25 to adjustably allow the passage of air into the brooder-units.

Extending from each side of the heating shack 8 are the brooding compartments 2. The brooding compartments 2 are supported by the sawhorses 26 which carry the joists 28 the outer members of which extend to form the frame members 30, and supported by the joists 28 and the frame members 30 are the transverse frame members v32. IIhe joists 28 likewise carry the subfloor 3| which extends through the slots 33 in the frame members 30 for a purpose to be later described.

Dividing each brooding unit are the walls 34 which have openings 36 through which extend and by which are supported the conduits 5 and 6. The walls 34 are supported "by the frame -members '30 and. by the transverse frame members 32 and extend toward the runs -3 to the forward walls 35. The forward-walls 35 have-openings 38 over whichihangs the hover cloth 40. the hover cloth being a common insulating material which retains heat within the brooding unit while permitting the poults to pass thereunder or through slits therein to the runs. Opposite the walls 35 are the walls '42 which, with roof 43 and floor, complete the enclosure of each brooding unit. The walls 42 have therein access doors 44 which enable the caretaker to reach any part of the enclosed booding unit,-and said'doors 44 are provided with vents 46 ,toprovide ventilation. It is to be noted that at the extremities of the conduits 5 and 6, doors-48 and when the brooder compartments are lifted -from the supporting frame members, the floor 52 is carried therewith. Such floor 52 permits the free passage 10f air-from the conduits '5 and 6 around the poults. Over the conduits 5 and 6 are provided the hovers '56 'whichare constructed of light metal or similar 'flexible material and which arejplaced over the conduits 5.and 6 in su'ch manner that the forward ends of the said hovers '56 are supported .by the cleats 58 which are carried by "the walls "34, and the .rear ends of thesaid hovers are carried'loy .thepivoted -cleats :60 which are likewise mounted on the walls 34. The pivoted cleats '60 enable the caretaker 'to permit the .rearmost ends of the hovers 56 to resiliently spring upwardin such manner as to allow more height .for additional growth of the-poults. The forward ends .ofsaid hovers ,56 are so affixed to the cleats =58 that the caretaker, .upon freeing the said rear-ward .ends .of said .hovers, may draw the hovers rear- ,wardly, releasing the'fonward .ends thereof and .permittingsaid forward ends to-resiliently spring upwardsimilarly to the action of the .rearward ends. Under the .floor52 are .Drovidedthe paper belts '62 which are carried on :roll form 64 mounted in shack 8 in common manner, and which areadapted to .carry away-thedroppings of the poults by the caretakers pulling the ends 5 06 out to a desired length." The ends 66 pass through the slots 33 in the. frame members, 30,

and the paper belts62 are supportedby the sub- "floors-3|. v M i Adj acent. the walls 35. and eXtendingbeyOnd the hover; cloth 40 are, the-runs 3. .Theruns 3 "comprise the walls I0 whichmay be suitably framed screens supported by the frame members 39and the cross nembers 12.. The floor of the runs 3 isan extension of the floor 52 and suchextension is carried by the walls I0. Gates 16, are provided to close off the runs 3 and are supported by the transverse frame member 32, bein comprised -.i of-j1'suitably' framed screens. Such gates lficoact with the walls o and are held in place bythe'latches 1:8. The

latches 78 are carried by a, cross member I9 which is supported by the walls 10. Adjacent the gateIG is provided a dewdropwater system comprising the dewdroppipe 80 which may be raised and lowered at wilLby' crank 82 which turns roller 84 from which is suspended the said dewdrop pipe. The said" dewdrop pipe is well known in the poultry art and comprises a water-containing pipe having spaced: valve' out: lets'actuable by the poults and described in Patent No. 1,811,375 entitled Poultry Drinking Fountain, issued June 23, 1931 to Stewart Wysong. Rollers 84 are rotatably supported in suitable bearings carried by the walls I0, and if desired the poults may drink from the said dewdrop system directly through the screen mesh of the gate I0 although ordinarily, when the poults are too young for the addition of the runs 4and the consequent removal of the gate 16, they will be watered by conventional pans and the like.

When the poults have reached a suitable age, usually in seven or eight days, the gates I6 are removed and the runs 4 brought into coaction with the runs 3. The runs 4 are supported in manner substantially the same as are the said runs 3, sawhorses 86 carrying the frame members 81, the transverse frame members 08, and the joists 89. Since a subfloor such as subfloor 3I is unnecessary in this part of my brooding system, the joists 89 are of the same width as the frame members 81. The floor 92 of the runs 4, similar to the floor 52, consists of mesh hardware cloth and is mounted upon the lower edges of the walls 94. The walls 94 comprise suitably framed screens, the forward portions of which constitute double walls which are divided horizontally by the cross members 96 and are screened at their upper portions 98. Said screening need be on but one side of the double wall. The lower portions of the said double Walls are adapted to retain slidably the feed troughs I00 which are carried by the floor 92 and which may be extended through the apertures I02 in the end members I04 of the walls 94. Cross beam I06 is supported by the walls 94 and carries the members I08 which with floor 92 and walls 94 provide gateways for the gates I I0, said gates comprising suitably framed screens and being supported by the transverse frame member 98 and latched by the latch IIZ on the members I08. In order to accommodate the dewdrop pipe 80, it is noted that the walls 94 do not have sufficient length to abut the walls I0 but rather permit a slot therebetween in which the said dewdrop pipe 80 rides.

Positive connection between runs 3 and 4 is achieved by bolting the transverse frame members 88 to the transverse frame members 32 to gether through aligning holes H4. If desired, chicken wire I I6 or other covering may cover the runs 3 and 4,being carried by the walls I0 and 94 poults maybe taken directly from incubator to -brooder andpla'ced within the compartments 2. i If warmth is desired, the heating unit I0 will supply a continuous circulation of fresh, dry,

' warmairJ While very young, the poults will, of

course, be fed by hand, passing through the openings 38 for this purpose. The blooding compartments 2 may bekept at constant temperature by virtue of the thermostatic control 24.

After seven or eight days, the runs 4 are brought up to'the brooding system and bolted on. The poults are thus given an extended run and are enabled .tobe conveniently fed by means of the 7 feed troughs I00. To reach the runs 4, the poults must travel under the dewdrop pipe 80 and will thus be induced to water. Cleaning of the brooding system is facilitated in that all parts thereof .1 may be easily reached and in that paper 92 is being continuously changed. When. the poults are of an age suitable forremoval from the brooding system, it may be quickly dismantled by unbolting the transverse frame members 82 and 88,

,liftingthe component partsof the runs, 4 from the sawhorse and frame member supports, :detaching the conduits 5 and 6 from the cross member I6, and lifting the brooding compartments 2 and component parts of the run 3 from their respective sawhorses and frame members.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described, comprising: supporting means; a row of brooding compartments carried thereby; runs in side by side relationship carried thereby and extending from said brooding compartments; feed troughs slidable between said runs; and overhead Watering means between said feed troughs and said brooding compartments, said watering means including a roller pulley extending transversely over said runs and rotatably supported thereby and a dewdrop pipe suspended from said roller pulley.

2. A device of the class described, comprising: supporting means; two frame assemblies carried thereby and including longitudinal and transverse frame members; a row of brooding compartments seating on said first frame assembly, said brooding compartments including a rear wall, a front wall having openings therein, compartmenting walls, a roof, and a meshed floor carried by said rear, front, and compartmenting walls; a row of runs coacting with said openings in said front wall, said row of runs including side walls and a meshed floor carried by said side v walls; a second row of runs coacting with said first row of runs and seating on said second frame assembly, said second row of runs including side walls, a meshed floor carried by said side walls, and feed troughs slidably extendable between said runs; and overhead watering means between said brooding compartments and said second row of runs.

3. A device of the class rdescribed, comprising: supporting means; two frame assemblies comprising longitudinal and transverse frame members; a row of brooding compartments seating on one of said frame assemblies; a straight conduit passing through each of said brooding compartments and opening thereinto; means for cir-q :cu'lating ,air through said ;conduit mnd'gintoi'said brooding compartments; :a row of mnspseating on the same frameassemblyjasnoes rthe {row of breeding ,compartments rand acoacting vaiherewith, said row of runs including aside-walls and a meshed fioor .carried Joy said :side walls; ;a second row .of runs .coacting -with,=said .firstcrow ,of runs and seating on said, second frame assembly, said .:secondirow of runsrincluding side wallsna meshed .fioor carried by said side walls, and feedxtltonghs .siidably extendableibetweenlsaid runs; and overhead-Watering:meanslbetweenesaid brooding 10mpartments :andssaidzsecom'i row .ofmuns.

4. A .device of the class described :oomprising: ,a, brooding. compartmentadaypteddzohonse;pou1ts; a run extending therefrom, :.said ;run.;inc111ding a -.food compartment; .and overhead watering means between said brooding compantment and said food compartment, :said ;o.verhead "waterin means being so disposedthatsaid ;po111ts necessarily pass undersaid wateringmeans intraveling from said brooding compartment:toisaid-iood compartment.

HARLEY HOLDRED GE.

REFERENCES "CITED 'The following references are of =record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 8 UNI-TED STATES ,PAFIZENTS Name Date :Merkley et-al "Sept. 26-, 1905 Aiken Aug. 7, 1906 conbo'ie Apr. 13, 19 15 Sciheup'lein Mar. "7, 1916 Martin July 13,1926 Jenkins Oct. 12, 1926 "Power Dec. 18, 1928 -T'ro'11inger Mar. :19, 1929 Craig July 21, 1931 Dorathy et-al Dec. 29, 1931 'iP-ave'lec -etal1. Apr. 19, 1932 'Karst Apr. 18, 1933 Petersime Ju1y'11/1933 Rackstrsw -Oct. 9, 1934 Lyon Apr. 9, 1935 Owens Oct.6, 1936 =Smith Nov.:3, 1936 Martin *Nov. 24, 1936 Burkholder Sept. 25, 1945 :FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date .rfireat Britain s Nov. 14, .1929 Australia :of .1932 

